Shut-off device for traveling sprinkler

ABSTRACT

A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure for communicating the water source to a hose-guided traveling sprinkler during the operative run thereof and for interrupting the communication of the water source thereto in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, the device includes a housing having a waterflow passage extending therethrough with an annular valve seat adjacent the outlet end thereof, and an actuating structure including an interior rod portion extending through an over-sized opening in offset relation with the axis of a spherical valve member, a spherical intermediate mounting portion sealingly engaged and mounted within the housing by a swivel socket assembly and an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, and an improved insert structure molded of resilient material such as plastic or rubber mounted within the passage in a position to engage the free end of the rod portion of the actuating structure when the latter is disposed in its open position to retain the ball valve member against water biased movement with the valve seat operable when the exterior portion of the actuating structure is actuated as aforesaid to yieldingly releasr the interior rod portion of the actuating structure to thereby permit the valve member to move into closed relation with the valve seat.

United States Patent 1191 Maple 1 SHUT-OFF DEVICE FOR TRAVELINGSPRINKLER [75] inventor: Steven E. Maple, Peoria, Ill.

[73] Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation, Peoria,

Ill.

22 Filed: May 8,1972 [21 Appl. No.: 251,261

152 us. or. 239/183, 251/298 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. KingAttorney-John W. Malley et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A device adapted to be connected to a source of waterunder pressure for communicating the water source to a hose-guidedtraveling sprinkler during the operative Ian. 15, 1974 run thereof andfor interrupting the communication of the water source thereto inresponse to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operativerun, the device includes a housing having a waterflow passage extendingtherethrough with an annular valve seat adjacent the outlet end thereof,and an actuating structure including an interior rod portion extendingthrough an over-sized opening in offset relation with the axis of aspherical valve member, a spherical intermediate mounting portionsealingly engaged and mounted within the housing by a swivel socketassembly and an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in response tothe traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, and animproved insert structure molded of resilient material such as plasticor rubber mounted within the passage in a position to engage the freeend of the rod portion of the actuating structure when the latter isdisposed in its open position to retain the ball valve member againstwater biased movement with the valve seat operable when the exteriorportion of the actuating structure is actuated as aforesaid toyieldingly releasr the interior rod portion of the actuating structureto thereby permit the valve member to move into closed relationwith thevalve seat.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED- 1 51974 3. 785.563

. sum 1 or 2 24 50 46 /4 i6 32 4 30 56 l I i l 66 v 1 SHUT-OFF DEVICEFOR TRAVELING SPRINKLER This invention relates to a device forcontrolling the flow of water under pressure, and more particularly, toa device of this type for communicating a source of water under pressureto a hose-guided traveling sprin kler during the operative run thereofand for closing off communication of the water under pressure with thetraveling sprinkler when the latter reaches the end of its operativerun.

Various types of traveling sprinklers have been known and have been inwidespread use for many years. One conventional type of such sprinklersutilizes the hose which serves to communicate a water source with thesprinkler as the means for guiding the traveling sprinkler during itsoperative run. Traveling sprinklers of this type include a water motor,operable in response to the communication of a source of water underpressure therewith to propel or move the traveling sprinkler along apredetermined path during its operative run. The water which flowsthrough the water motor passes into the sprinkler head to effect thesprinkling action during the movement of the sprinkler. The sprinklerusually embodies a steerable wheel or other guide means which is adaptedto engage the hose to determine the path which the traveling sprinklerwill take during its operative run. Since the communication of waterwith a traveling sprinkler serves to effect, not only the sprinklingaction thereof, but the movement thereof as well, it is important toshut off the water when the traveling sprinkler reaches the end of itsoperative run.

Various devices have been provided to accomplish this function. Anexemplary embodiment is disclosed in the expired US. Pat. to Wilson, No.2,218,964, dated Oct. 22, I940. The Wilson patentdiscloses a deviceincluding a housing having a waterflow passage extending therethrough,the passage having a valve seat formed between the inlet and outlet endsthereof. Mounted on the housing for pivotal movement is an actuatingstructure movable between an operative position wherein a valve memberis disposed in space relation to the valve seat and a closed positionwherein the valve member engages the annular valve seat. The actuatingstructure disclosed in the Wilson patent includes an upwardly curvedlever extending in a downstream relation so as to be engaged by thetraveling sprinkler as it reaches theend of its operative run. Theweight of the upwardly curved actuating leverserves to maintain thevalve in its open position, and upon engagement by the travelingsprinkler theweight bias of the lever is changed permitting the valve tomove into a closed position. The utilization of a device which dependsupon a weight biased maintenance of the valve in its open operativeposition presents several disadvantages. For example, a valve which isweight-biased into its open position requires a fairly extensiveactuating stroke to move the same into its closed position. Moreover,the operation of the valve can be detrimentally affected where thedevice is mounted on ground which is not entirely level.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, thesedisadvantages are overcome by providing a yieldable detent means formaintaining the valve in its open position against a bias due towaterflow acting on the valve at all times during operation. With suchan arrangement, a'very small amount of actuating movement serves torelease the valve so that it is moved into a closed position by theaction of the water itself. Moreover, in accordance with the principlesof the present invention, the releasable detent is preferably in theform of an insert molded of resilient material such as plastic or rubbermounted with the housing so that it is not subject to damage as would bethe case were it to be mounted exteriorly of the housing.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice of the type described having improved means for releasablyretaining the valve member in its open position during normal operationof the traveling sprinkler.

Still another object of the present invention is a provision of a deviceof the type described which is simple in construction, effective inoperation and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention will become moreapparent during the course of the following detailed description andappended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a device embodyingthe principles of the present invention illustrating the valve member inits closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the valve member in itsopen operative position;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the device with theactuating structure disposed in an intermediate vertical position;

' FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of the lower sealing member of the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the releasable retainer insert of thedevice; and

FIG. -6 is a side elevational view showing the device of the presentinvention in operative relation with a known traveling sprinkler.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. ll 3 of the drawings, there isshown therein a device, generally indicated at 10, embodying theprinciples of the present invention. The device 10 includes a housingassembly, generally indicated at 12, a valve mechanism 14 and anactuating structure generally indicated at 16. The housing assembly 12includes a main housing body 18 having a flow-passage 20 extendingtherethrough. Mounted within an inlet end of the passage 20 is a femalehose fitting assembly, generally indicated at 22. As shown, the assemblyincludes an inner collar 24 which is exteriorally threaded at one endportion thereof for engagement within interior threads formed in theinlet end of the passage 20 of the housing body 18. The collar 24includes an exterior annular flange at its opposite end, which isadapted to be engaged by a conventional female swivel fitting 26. Formedin the exterior of the main housing body 18 adjacent the outlet end ofthe passage 20, is a male fitting in the form of exterior thread of 28.

Formed within the passage 20, adjacent the outlet end thereof, is aannular valve seat 30 of a size less than the size of the portion of thepassage 20 extending upstream therefrom. The valve seat 30 forms onepart of the valve assembly 14, a second cooperating part of which isprovided by a valve member 32 of rubber or other suitable material. Asshown, the valve member 32 is preferably of spherical shape having asize greater than the valve seat 30, but less than the associatedupstream portion of the passage 20.

The actuating structure 16 includes an interior portion 34 in the formof a rod element, and intermediate mounting portion 36 providing aspherically arcuate exterior surface and an exterior portion 38 adaptedto be actuated when the traveling sprinkler reaches the end of itsoperative run. The interior portion 34 is operatively connected with thevalve member 32 for controlling the position of the valve member withrespect to the valve seat 30. This operative connection, as shown, ispreferably accomplished by simply extending the rod element 34 through acylindrical opening 40 formed in the valve member 32. The opening 40 isa diameter greater than the diameter of the rod element 34 and has itsaxis offset from the central axis of the spherical valve member 32 asbest shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The actuating structure 16 is pivotally mounted for movement betweenopen and closed positions by means of a socket sealing assembly,generally indicated at 42, which cooperates with the intermediatemounting portion 36 thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 1 3, the housingbody 18 has an opening 44 provided in the upper portion thereof which isformed by a bore communicating with the passage and a counter boreformed exteriorly in the bore. The socket sealing assembly 42 includes alower annular sealing member 46, which is mounted within the opening 44as shown in FIGS. 1 3. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the sealing member46 includes an elongated opening 48 extending therethrough for receivingthe rod element 34 and an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealingsurface 50 surrounding the opening 48 for engaging the lower portion ofthe spherically arcuate surface of the mounting portion 36.

The assembly 42 also includes an annular retainer member 52 which issuitably mounted within the opening 44 as by press fit or the like, theretainer having an annular groove formed in the interior peripherythereof for receiving an O-ring seal 54 which sealingly engages theupper portion of the spherically arcuate surface of the mounting portion36. It can thus be seen that the actuating structure 16 is sealinglymounted for pivotal movement between two limiting positions, one aclosed position, as shown in FIG. 1, and the other an open position asshown in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there isprovided a means for yieldingly releasably retaining the actuatingstructure 16 in the open position shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, thismeans is in the form of an insert, generally indicated at 56 and shownin detail in FIG. 5. As best shown in FIG. 5, the insert is molded as anintegral structure from a suitable resilient material, such as plastic,rubber or the like. The insert structure includes a pair of exteriorlongitudinally extending flanges 58 which are shaped to engage within anundercut slot 60 formed in the bottom portion of the housing body 18,.incommunicating relation with the passage 20. As best shown in FIG. 1, thebottom of the undercut slot 60 is arcuate and aligned with the openingwhich receives the collar 24 and the upstream end of the slot is open soas to permit the insert structure 56 to be mounted therein by alongitudinal sliding action. As will be evident from viewing FIGS. 1 and2, the mounting of the insert structure 56 within the undercut slot 60is accomplished prior to the mounting of the collar 24 within the inletof the passage 60. After the insert structure has been positioned asindicated above, the collar 24 is threadedly engaged within the inletend of the passage 20 of the housing body 18. The engagement of theinsert structure within the slot is sufficient to retain the same inoperative position, however, it will be noted that the mounting of thecollar 24 in its operative position provides a positive retention of theinsert structure within the slot 60.

Again referring to FIG. 5, it will be noted that the insert structureincludes upstanding wall sections 62 which are spaced apart so as toreceive therebetween the free end of the rod element 34 of the actuatingstructure 16. The upstanding wall section 62 includes an opposedinwardly and outwardly extending detent portions 64 disposed so as toresist movement of the actuating structure 16 out of its open positionand toward its closed position. The detent portions 64 are flexible andinherently resilient so as to yieldingly release the actuating structure16 from its open position for movement toward its closed position inresponse to the actuating of the exterior portion 38 by the travelingsprinkler when the latter reaches the end of its operative run. In thisregard, it will be noted that the exterior portion 38 of the actuatingstructure 16 is formed by an annular member preferably molded ofresilient material such as plastic or rubber, the annular member beingembedded on an upward extension of the intermediate mounting portion 36.The molded member 38 is of generally umbrella shape and preferablyprovides an exterior periphery of circular configuration of a sizesubstantially greater than the size of the spherical surface 36 so as topermit engagement of the sprinkler in any position of rotationaladjustment of the actuating structure 16.

It will also be understood that the housing 12 may be provided with aseparate base member 66 suitably fixed to the bottom exterior of thehousing body 18 and extending transversely from opposite sides thereof.The base member 16 may be of any desirable configuration other than theelongated configuration as shown.

In operation, the female fitting 26 is engaged with a cooperating hosefitting leading from a water source, such as fitting 66 on the end ofsource hose 68 as shown in FIG. 6. The male fitting 28 is connected to acooperating fitting 70 on one end of a hose 72 leading to a travelingsprinkler 74, which, as shown in FIG. 6, is of the type disclosed in theaforesaid Wilson patent. The hose 72 and traveling sprinkler 74 are theninitially set up by placing the hose in the area to be sprinkled so thatits position defines the path of movement of the operative run. Thesprinkler is then looped onto the outer end portion of the hose so thatits direction of travel will be along the hose and toward the device 10.

Assuming that the actuating structure 16 of the device 10 in its closedposition as shown in FIG. 1, the traveling sprinkler 74 is set intooperation by simply manually pivoting the exterior portion 38 so that itmoves from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open positionshown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that during this movement, the freeend of the rod element 34 will engage the flexible detent wall portions64 so as to flex the latter outwardly and permit the rod element to movethereby. When the exterior portion 38 of the actuating structure 16 isreleased by the operator, the flow of water through the passage inengagement with the valve member 32 will bias the actuating structuretoward its closed position. However, the detent wall portions 64 preventthis movement. Thus, with the device in its open position as shown inFIG. 2, water under pressure is continuously communicated with thetraveling sprinkler 74, effecting the sprinkling action and at the sametime the traveling movement of the sprinkler. When the travelingsprinkler 74 reaches the end of its operative run, a predeterminedportion of the traveling sprinkler engages the exterior portion 38 ofthe actuating structure 16 moving the same in a direction toward theclosed position. With this added force, the detent wall portion 64yieldingly release the free end of the rod element 34 permitting thevalve member 32 to move into its closed position under the action of thewater source. in this regard, it will be noted that the offset openingconnection of the valve member 32 with the rod element 34 insures thatthe valve element will be properly positioned to engage the valve seatdue to the rudder action caused by the flow ofwaternearby.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing preferred specific embodiment has been shown anddescribed forthe purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles ofthis invention and is subject to change without departure from suchprinciples. Therefore, this invention includes all modificationsencompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressurefor communicating the water source to a hose guided traveling sprinklerduring the operative run thereof and for interrupting the communicationof the water source theretoin response to the traveling sprinklerreaching the end of its operative run, said device including a housinghaving a water flow passage extending therethrough, an inlet fittingmeans adjacent an inlet end of said passage for connection with a hoseor the like having a source of water under pressure communicatingtherewith, outlet fitting means adjacent an outlet end of said passagefor connection with the guide hose of the traveling sprinkler, saidpassage having an annular valve seat therein adjacent the outlet endthereof of a size smaller than the adjacent upstream portion thereof, avalve member of a size greater than said valve seatbut less than theadjacent upstream portion of saiid passage disposed within the latter soas to be biased toward said valve seat in response to the flow of waterthrough said passage, an actuating structure including an intermediatemounting portion, an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in responseto the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run and aninterior portion for controlling the water biased movement of said valvemember, means on said housing sealingly engaging the intermediateportion of said actuating structure and mounting the same for pivotedmovement between opened and closed portions, the interior portion ofsaid actuating structure being operatively associated with said valvemember so as to maintain said valve member in spaced relation to saidvalve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in said openposition and to permit said valve member to be biased into engagementwith said valve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in saidclosed position, the improvement which comprises means mounted withinthe upstream portion of said passage in a position to engage the freeend of the interior portion of said actuating structure when the latteris disposed in said open position to retain said valve member againstwater biased movement into engagement with said valve seat operable whenthe exterior portion of said actuating structure is actuated asaforesaid to yieldingly release the interior portion of said actuatingstructure to thereby permit said valve member to move into closedrelation with said valve seat.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said, releasableretaining means comprises an insert structure molded of resilientmaterial.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein the bottom of theupstream portion of said passage has a longitudinally extending undercutslot formed therein with the upstream end thereof open, said insertstructure including an elongated member having an exterior shapecomplementary to said undercut slot, lsaid elongated member beingengaged within said slot by a longitudinal sliding movement.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3, wherein said elongated memberincludes integral upstanding wall sections spaced apart to receive thefree end of the interior portion of said actuating structuretherebetween, said wall sections including yieldable portions extendingtoward and away from each other for accomplishing the aforesaid yieldingrelease of said actuating structure.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior portionof said actuating structure comprises a rod element, said valve memberbeing spherical in shape and having a through opening therein throughwhich said rod element extends.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said through opening isoffset with respect to the spherical axis of said valve member and is ofa size greater than the size of said rod element. 7

7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has anopening formed in the top thereof communicating with said passage, alower annular sealing member disposed within said opening having anupwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface, the intermediateportion of said actuating structure having a spherically arcuateexterior surface, the lower portion of which is disposed in engagementwith the upwardly facing surface of said lower sealing member, an upperannular member engaged within said housing opening havingan interiorO-ring seal engaging the upper portion of the spherically arcuateexterior surface of said intermediate portion.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein the exterior portion ofsaid actuating structure includes a molded member having a circularexterior periphery of a diameter size substantially greater than thediameter size of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of theintermediate portion of said actuating structure.

9. The improvement as defined in claim fi, wherein said molded member isof generally umbrella shape.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said releasableretaining means comprises an insert structure molded ofresilient'material, the bottom of the upstream portion of said passagehaving a longitudinally extending undercut slot formed therein 'with theupstream end thereof open, said insert structure including an elongatedmember having an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot,said elongated member being engaged within said slot by longitudinalsliding movement, the interior portion of said actuating structurecomprising a rod element, said valve member being spherical in shape andhaving a through opening therein offset with respect to the sphericalaxis through which said rod element extends, said elongated memberincluding integral upstanding wall sections spaced apart to receive thefree end of said rod element therebetween, said wall sections includingyieldable portions extending toward and away from each other foraccomplishing the aforesaid yielding release of said actuatingstructure, said housing having an opening formed in the top thereofcommunicating with said passage, a lower annular sealing member disposedwithin said opening having an upwardly facing spherically arcuatesealing surface, the intermediate portion of said actuating thespherically arcuate exterior surface of the intermediate portion of saidactuating structure. 1

1. A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressurefor communicating the water source to a hose guided traveling sprinklerduring the operative run thereof and for interrupting the communicationof the water source thereto in response to the traveling sprinklerreaching the end of its operative run, said device including a housinghaving a water flow passage extending therethrough, an inlet fittingmeans adjacent an inlet end of said passage for connection with a hoseor the like having a source of water under pressure communicatingtherewith, outlet fitting means adjacent an outlet end of said passagefor connection with the guide hose of the traveling sprinkler, saidpassage having an annular valve seat therein adjacent the outlet endthereof of a size smaller than the adjacent upstream portion thereof, avalve member of a size greater than said valve seat but less than theadjacent upstream portion of saiid passage disposed within the latter soas to be biased toward said valve seat in response to the flow of waterthrough said passage, an actuating structure including an intermediatemounting portion, an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in responseto the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run and aninterior portion for controlling the water biased movement of said valvemember, means on said housing sealingly engaging the intermediateportion of said actuating structure and mounting the same for pivotedmovement between opened and closed portions, the interior portion ofsaid actuating structure being operatively associated with said valvemember so as to maintain said valve member in spaced relation to saidvalve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in said openposition and to permit said valve member to be biased into engagementwith said valve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in saidclosed position, the improvement which comprises means mounted withinthe upstream portion of said passage in a position to engage the freeend of the interior portion of said actuating structure when the latteris disposed in said open position to retain said valve member againstwater biased movement into engagement with said valve seat operable whenthe exterior portion of said actuating structure is actuated asaforesaid to yieldingly release the interior portion of said actuatingstructure to thereby permit said valve member to move into closedrelation with said valve seat.
 2. The improvement as defined in claim 1wherein said releasable retaining means comprises an insert structuremolded of resilient material.
 3. The improvement as defined in claim 2,wherein the bottom of the upstream portion of said passage has alongitudinally Extending undercut slot formed therein with the upstreamend thereof open, said insert structure including an elongated memberhaving an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot, saidelongated member being engaged within said slot by a longitudinalsliding movement.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 3, wherein saidelongated member includes integral upstanding wall sections spaced apartto receive the free end of the interior portion of said actuatingstructure therebetween, said wall sections including yieldable portionsextending toward and away from each other for accomplishing theaforesaid yielding release of said actuating structure.
 5. Theimprovement as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior portion of saidactuating structure comprises a rod element, said valve member beingspherical in shape and having a through opening therein through whichsaid rod element extends.
 6. The improvement as defined in claim 5wherein said through opening is offset with respect to the sphericalaxis of said valve member and is of a size greater than the size of saidrod element.
 7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein saidhousing has an opening formed in the top thereof communicating with saidpassage, a lower annular sealing member disposed within said openinghaving an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface, theintermediate portion of said actuating structure having a sphericallyarcuate exterior surface, the lower portion of which is disposed inengagement with the upwardly facing surface of said lower sealingmember, an upper annular member engaged within said housing openinghaving an interior O-ring seal engaging the upper portion of thespherically arcuate exterior surface of said intermediate portion. 8.The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein the exterior portion ofsaid actuating structure includes a molded member having a circularexterior periphery of a diameter size substantially greater than thediameter size of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of theintermediate portion of said actuating structure.
 9. The improvement asdefined in claim 8, wherein said molded member is of generally umbrellashape.
 10. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein saidreleasable retaining means comprises an insert structure molded ofresilient material, the bottom of the upstream portion of said passagehaving a longitudinally extending undercut slot formed therein with theupstream end thereof open, said insert structure including an elongatedmember having an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot,said elongated member being engaged within said slot by longitudinalsliding movement, the interior portion of said actuating structurecomprising a rod element, said valve member being spherical in shape andhaving a through opening therein offset with respect to the sphericalaxis through which said rod element extends, said elongated memberincluding integral upstanding wall sections spaced apart to receive thefree end of said rod element therebetween, said wall sections includingyieldable portions extending toward and away from each other foraccomplishing the aforesaid yielding release of said actuatingstructure, said housing having an opening formed in the top thereofcommunicating with said passage, a lower annular sealing member disposedwithin said opening having an upwardly facing spherically arcuatesealing surface, the intermediate portion of said actuating structurehaving a spherically arcuate exterior surface the lower portion of whichis disposed in engagement with the upwardly facing surface of said lowersealing member, an upper annular member engaged within said housingopening having an interior O-ring seal engaging the upper portion of thespherically arcuate exterior surface of said intermediate portion, theexterior portion of said actuating structure including a moldable memberhaving a circular exterior periphery of a diameter size substantiallygreater than the diameteR size of the spherically arcuate exteriorsurface of the intermediate portion of said actuating structure.